DOIDGE SKIPS THE BEAT TO ROUSE PARKY
CHRISTIAN DOIDGE used to pound and pedal the beat as a police community support officer in a Cardiff suburb.
Now he wants to become a force to be reckoned with as a Championship striker after nabbing his first goal for Bolton.
Newport-born Doidge (above) joined Wanderers on loan from Forest Green in August ahead of a permanent January deal which could rise to £1million.
And when he came off the bench to hit an 84th-minute leveller, it was easy to see why Bolton boss Phil Parkinson is happy to splash the cash.
Doidge, who has made only one start for his new side, said: “It felt like a long time, as I scored quite often for Forest Green, but it was the first opportunity I’d had and I’m just buzzing that I put it away.
“It’s certainly a big jump from League Two, but I don’t think I’m far away from being a Championship striker.’’
Doidge, 26, admitted: “Being a policeman feels like a lifetime ago, but I’m so happy to be here, I’ve got to pinch myself sometimes.
“I was a community support officer for eight months. I was like the police in Hot Fuzz, on a pushbike and everything!
“To be honest, I didn’t even want to be a footballer. Well, I did, but I was nowhere near.
“Then I started playing for Carmarthen in the Welsh Premier League and I was lucky enough to get a trial at Dagenham.”
Doidge countered midfielder Will Vaulks’ free-kick for Rotherham after Bolton striker Josh Magennis had seen a penalty saved by Marek Rodak.
ROTHERHAM: REF: BLACKBURN: LEEDS: ATT:
Graham Klich Lenihan
DARRAGH LENIHAN reckons this victory over Leeds proves Blackburn are a match for anyone in the Championship.
The Rovers defender sealed the points with his first goal of the season to deny United the chance to go back to the top of the table, after Mateusz Klich had levelled Danny Graham’s early opener.
Some bookmakers had Rovers down as relegation fodder at the start of the season, but Lenihan, part of the squad relegated in 2017, insists the sky’s the limit under the clever stewardship of Tony Mowbray.
He said: “It all feels a bit different in the Championship this time around and all that comes from the manager and his style. He gives us great confidence and great belief to go out there and perform.
“Leeds are tipped to win the division and so, if we can beat them, we can beat any team in the league. I don’t see why we can’t go into every game thinking, ‘Why can’t we get the three points?’.
“Some games will be more difficult than others, obviously, but I think that with the group of players we have, we are as strong as ever.”
The defeat was the first on the road this season for Leeds as they aim to get back to the Premier League after 14 years in exile.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have gone off the boil in recent weeks with just two wins in eight games. Kalvin Phillips reckons United must now show their title credentials – starting in midweek when they host Ipswich.
He said: “It is a massive game and I’m just happy the matches are coming thick and fast so we can put it right straight away. Hopefully, we get back out on the training pitch and work hard and get the result.
“I think Rovers are very underrated. The way they play is very direct and it put us on the back foot.”
MOTM
ADAM ARMSTRONG (BLACKBURN)
MATCH STATS